Behavioral Model Research Articles

Switching Mediterranean Consumers to Mediterranean Sustainable Healthy Dietary Patterns (SWITCHtoHEALTHY): Study Protocol of a Multicentric and Multi-Cultural Family-Based Nutritional Intervention Study.

Populations in Mediterranean countries are abandoning the traditional Mediterranean diet (MD) and lifestyle, shifting towards unhealthier habits due to profound cultural and socioeconomic changes. The SWITCHtoHEALTHY project aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of a multi-component nutritional intervention to improve the adherence of families to the MD in three Mediterranean countries, thus prompting a dietary behavior change. A parallel, randomized, single-blinded, and controlled multicentric nutritional intervention study will be conducted over 3 months in 480 families with children and adolescents aged 3-17 years from Spain, Morocco, and Turkey. The multi-component intervention will combine digital interactive tools, hands-on educational materials, and easy-to-eat healthy snacks developed for this study. Through the developed SWITCHtoHEALTHY app, families will receive personalized weekly meal plans, which also consider what children eat at school. The engagement of all family members will be prompted by using a life simulation game. In addition, a set of activities and educational materials for adolescents based on a learning-through-playing approach will be codesigned. Innovative and sustainable plant-based snacks will be developed and introduced into the children's dietary plan as healthy alternatives for between meals. By using a full-factorial design, families will be randomized into eight groups (one control and seven interventions) to test the independent and combined effects of each component (application and/or educational materials and/or snacks). The impact of the intervention on diet quality, economy, and the environment, as well as on classical anthropometric parameters and vital signs, will be assessed in three different visits. The COM-B behavioral model will be used to assess essential factors driving the behavior change. The main outcome will be adherence to the MD assessed through MEDAS in adults and KIDMED in children and adolescents. SWITCHtoHEALTHY will provide new insights into the use of sustained models for inducing dietary and lifestyle behavior changes in the family setting. It will facilitate generating, boosting, and maintaining the switch to a healthier MD dietary pattern across the Mediterranean area. Registered Trial, National Institutes of Health, ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06057324).

Exploring the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practise of Healthy Eating Among Lactating Mothers in a Poor Rural Setting in North‐Western Ghana

ABSTRACTIntroductionRecognised as one of the most effective ways to guarantee positive maternal and child health outcomes, optimal nutrition for lactating mothers has received significant attention and investment both globally and locally. Despite this recognition, studies on maternal and child nutrition in Ghana have revealed that adherence to prescribed healthy eating regimens among lactating mothers in deprived settings has not received adequate scholarly attention. Thus, this study explores lactating mothers knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding healthy eating to better understand the barriers to optimal nutritional outcomes for mothers and children, especially when chronic poverty is widespread.MethodsThis was a case study to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practise of healthy eating among lactating mothers in the Wa West District. Convenience and purposive sampling procedures were followed to select lactating mothers and healthcare providers, respectively. Semi‐structured interviews were used to collect the data. The data were analysed using Anderson's behavioural model. The model offers a comprehensive analysis of factors—predisposition, enabling factors, and need for care—potentially influencing lactating mothers' knowledge, attitudes, and practise of healthy eating.ResultsThe findings show that while lactating mothers in the district were aware of the importance of optimal nutrition for their health and wellbeing; food insecurity and pervasive poverty limit their opportunities to adhere to a balanced eating regimen.ConclusionAn integrated development approach is needed to expand and sustain awareness of the importance of optimal nutrition for maternal and child health, improve local food production, and promote household economic empowerment.

The impact of management equity incentive on firms' risk-taking under different monitoring conditions

The influence of managerial equity incentive on firms' risk-taking remains controversial within two dominant paradigms: agency theory and behavioral agency model (BAM). To reconcile the tension between these paradigms within an integrated framework, we explore the divergent effects of managerial equity incentive on deviant and aspirational risk-taking, reflected by bribery expenditure and R&D intensity, respectively. Additionally, we examine the moderating effects of institutional shareholder monitoring and government monitoring. Using data on 12,660 observations of Chinese listed firms from 2009 to 2019, we find that managerial equity incentive negatively impacts bribery expenditure, a tendency that is intensified by both institutional shareholder monitoring and government monitoring. Conversely, it positively affects R&D intensity, with this effect weakened by institutional shareholder monitoring but strengthened by government monitoring. This study provides a novel insight into reconciling the controversy between agency theory and BAM by illustrating the different roles of managerial equity incentive in various types of risk-taking under varying monitoring conditions.

Reward deprivation is associated with elevated alcohol demand in emerging adults.

Policies vary substantially in terms of providing sources of psychosocial enrichment. Behavioral economic models of substance use and addiction emphasize that deficits in access to substance-free sources of reward increase substance reinforcing value and risk for addiction. The current study used an alcohol demand curve approach to test the hypothesis that various indices of reward deprivation would be associated with elevated alcohol reinforcing efficacy. We examined associations between alcohol demand indices and several facets of reward deprivation in a sample of young adults (N = 1,331; ages 19-25 years) recruited from the United States and Canada who reported recent binge drinking. Additionally, we created an index of cumulative reward deprivation that integrated the various reward facets and examined its association with alcohol demand intensity and maximum expenditure on alcohol. Our findings indicate that reward deprivation is associated with elevated alcohol demand and provide support for alcohol prevention and intervention approaches that emphasize environmental enrichment.

Grief-Specific Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs Present-Centered Therapy

Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) is included as a new diagnosis in international classification systems. Treatments following a cognitive behavioral model are most effective, but comparisons with active control treatments are scarce. To examine whether integrative cognitive behavioral therapy for prolonged grief (PG-CBT) is superior to present-centered therapy (PCT). This was a rater-blinded, multicenter, randomized clinical trial (stratified by center and relationship to the deceased) with enrollment from April 2017 to May 2022. The setting included 4 university outpatient clinics in Germany. Eligible participants were aged 18 to 75 years and had PGD based on the Prolonged Grief Disorder 13 (PG-13) interview. Participants were randomized 1:1 to PG-CBT and PCT. PG-CBT focused on the exposure to the worst moment of the loss and cognitive restructuring of grief-related cognitions in combination with solution-focused and experiential methods (eg, walk to the grave exercise). PCT was adapted in session length and number to PG-CBT and focused on a supportive relationship and coping with daily problems that may have arisen from the loss or grief symptoms. All outcomes were assessed at baseline, after treatment, and 12 months after randomization at follow-up. The primary outcome was a blinded assessment of the PG-13 severity score at follow-up. Secondary outcomes were self-reported depressive, somatic, and overall psychopathological symptoms. Of 544 treatment-seeking individuals experiencing bereavement, 212 eligible participants (mean [SD] age, 51.8 [13.3] years; 173 female [82%]) with PGD based on the PG-13 interview were randomized to PG-CBT and PCT (n = 106 in each condition). In the intention-to-treat analysis, both treatments yielded high reductions in PGD severity at follow-up (PG-CBT: Cohen d = 1.64; 95% CI, 1.31-1.97; PCT: Cohen d = 1.38; 95% CI, 1.09-1.66). After treatment, participants receiving PG-CBT demonstrated significantly greater reductions in PGD severity than those receiving PCT (Cohen d = 0.31; 95% CI, 0.03-0.57). At follow-up, this effect was only visible on a trend level (Cohen d = 0.28; 95% CI, -0.02 to 0.57), whereas participants in the PG-CBT group had significantly less depressive and general psychopathological symptoms. Twenty-three participants (20%) discontinued PG-CBT treatment, and 17 participants (16%) discontinued PCT. This randomized clinical trial demonstrates that PG-CBT was superior to PCT after treatment and at follow-up with regard to comorbid symptoms. Both treatments were shown to be effective and acceptable, showing the potential for dissemination and increasing patient choice. German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) identifier: DRKS00012317.

Customer perspectives on reputable and accountable Islamic finance: a behavioural intention model with a meta-analysis SEM approach

Purpose This research aims to analyses the structural model of customers’ intention towards reputable and accountable Islamic finance, explained through Meta-Analysis Structural Equation Modelling (MASEM) with the Theory of Planned Behaviour approach and extended variables. Design/methodology/approach This study used MASEM to examine the factors systematically influencing behavioural intentions within Islamic finance. By synthesising 89 existing studies, the study identified key variables and their relationships, providing a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms. A rigorous methodology involving article selection, data extraction and statistical analysis enabled the development of a robust conceptual framework. Findings This study underscores the significant impact of subjective norms and perceived behavioural control on the intention to adopt Islamic finance, mediated by customer attitude. Religiosity, customer awareness and knowledge influence the intention to adopt Islamic finance products, with the Islamic financial institution's reputation and customer attitude serving as mediating variables. Originality/value This research novelty examines Islamic finance accounting, reporting and financial accountability, primarily focusing on customers’ perceived intentions towards Islamic financial practices.

Behavioral Modeling of Drivers near Speed Control Cameras: A Dual Perspective from Micro and Macro Data

The present study investigates the efficacy of speed cameras in managing vehicle speeds and their influence on various driver demographics within the operational context of the cameras. The research, conducted as a case study in Iran, comprises both macroscopic and detailed analyses, quantifying vehicle speeds at different spatial points relative to the speed camera location—upstream, adjacent to, and downstream of the camera—using a manual laser speedometer. Furthermore, the study examines diverse driver behavior metrics, including vehicle type, speeds at different locations, lane changes, braking actions, and measures such as obscuring license plates. Statistical analyses show that speed cameras effectively reduce speeds across different user groups and lead to increased braking and lane-changing behaviors, particularly among light vehicle categories. Moreover, the study reveals distinct behavioral patterns between indigenous and non-indigenous drivers. In addition, a multi-layer perceptron neural network model successfully approximates user speed selection behaviors within the operational range of speed cameras. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of speed cameras and their impact on diverse driver demographics, contributing to a deeper understanding of advanced speed control mechanisms.

Analysis of willingness to use health management APP for female college students: application of UTAUT model based on Fogg theory.

As the development process of medical industry informatization has entered the stage of smart healthcare, health management applications (apps) have played an important role in improving people's health and preventing diseases, especially among female college students. This study combines the UTAUT model and the Fogg behavioral model (FBM) as a theoretical framework to investigate the factors affecting female college students' willingness to use health management apps. A survey was conducted with 624 female college students regarding their usage of AI health management mobile applications. The analysis reveals that social influence (β = 0.497, p < 0.001), performance expectancy (β = 0.268, p < 0.001), effort expectancy (β = 0.359, p < 0.001), and facilitating conditions (β = 0.603, p < 0.001) positively predict attitude; social influence (β = 0.36, p < 0.001) and effort expectancy (β = 0.183, p < 0.001) positively predict perceived risk, while facilitating conditions negatively predict perceived risk (β = -0.108, p < 0.01). Additionally, performance expectancy (β = 0.231, p < 0.001), effort expectancy (β = 0.285, p < 0.001), facilitating conditions (β = 0.25, p < 0.01), and attitude (β = 0.291, p < 0.05) positively predict an individual's intention to use such applications, which in turn affects actual behavior (β = 0.804, p < 0.001). This study develops a comprehensive theoretical framework to explore the psychological and social factors influencing female college students' utilization of health management applications. The findings underscore the significant roles of social influence, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and facilitating conditions in shaping user attitudes and intentions. These insights offer valuable guidance for formulating effective interventions to enhance the adoption of these applications.

A fully automated social interaction chamber for studying social threat learning in mice.

Social interactions are fundamental for our survival as a predominately social species. We need and seek positive social interactions to navigate the world. However, when social interactions are negative, and occur in the presence of an aversive event, learning occurs to associate such social interactions as threatening. Gaining insight into the neural circuits that drive social threat learning is crucial for understanding social interactions. Animal models can be leveraged to employ technologies that allow us to track neuronal processes with very high resolution to obtain a better understanding of the neural circuits involved. To accomplish this, we need robust behavioral models that are replicable and high throughput. Here, we present an open-source social interaction chamber that detects social interaction and automatically pairs it with foot shock. The social interaction chamber is designed to easily integrate into modular chambers commonly used for auditory and context threat learning. It contains an array of optical gates that precisely track mouse-to-mouse interactions in real time with digital triggers that can communicate with external devices to deliver a foot shock. We find that pairing social interactions with electric foot shock using our fully automated social interaction chamber is optimal for social threat associations. We further demonstrate that timing of social contact with foot shock produces optimal learning.

An architecture for coupled digital twins with semantic lifting

AbstractTo enable the reuse of Digital Twins, in the form of simulation units or other forms of behavioral models, of single physical components, one must be able to connect and couple them. Current platform and architectures consider mostly monolithic digital twins and offer little support for coupling and checking the consistency of the coupling. The coupling must be internally consistent—satisfy constraints related to their co-simulation—and externally consistent—mirror the structure of the composed physical system. In this paper, we propose an extension to a behavior-extended Digital Twin architecture for individual Digital Twins to include co-simulation scenarios for coupled systems lifted from configuration files, which can be implemented along with a Digital-Twin-as-a-Service platform to make assets reusable in time. To monitor and query these connections, we introduce a semantic lifting service, which interprets the coupled Digital Twins as Knowledge Graphs and enables the use of queries to express internal and external consistency constraints. Two representative case studies for systems with coupled behavior are used for the demonstration of this approach and show that it indeed enables reusability of components and services between different Digital Twins.

Preclinical Evaluation of MK-8189: A Novel Phosphodiesterase 10A Inhibitor for the Treatment of Schizophrenia.

MK-8189 is a novel phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) inhibitor being evaluated in clinical studies for the treatment of schizophrenia. PDE10A is a cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase enzyme highly expressed in medium spiny neurons of the striatum. MK-8189 exhibits sub-nanomolar potency on the PDE10A enzyme and has excellent pharmaceutical properties. Oral administration of MK-8189 significantly increased cGMP and pGluR1 in rat striatal tissues. Activation of the dopamine D1 direct and D2 indirect pathways was demonstrated by detecting significant elevation of mRNA encoding substance P (Sub P) and enkephalin (ENK) after MK-8189 administration. The PDE10A tracer [3H]MK-8193 was used determine the PDE10A enzyme occupancy (EO) required for efficacy in behavioral models. In the rat conditioned avoidance responding assay, MK-8189 significantly decreased avoidance behavior at PDE10A EO greater than ~48%. MK-8189 significantly reversed an MK-801-induced deficit in pre-pulse inhibition at PDE10A EO of ~47% and higher. Target engagement of MK-8189 in rhesus monkeys was examined with [11C]MK-8193 in PET studies and plasma concentrations of 127nM MK-8189 yielded ~50% EO in the striatum. The impact of MK-8189 on cognitive symptoms was evaluated using the objective retrieval task in rhesus monkeys. MK-8189 significantly attenuated a ketamine-induced deficit in object retrieval performance at exposure that yielded ~29% PDE10A EO. These findings demonstrate the robust impact of MK-8189 on striatal signaling and efficacy in preclinical models of symptoms associated with schizophrenia. Data from these studies were used to establish the relationship between preclinical efficacy, plasma exposures, and PDE10A EO to guide dose selection of MK-8189 in clinical studies. Significance Statement We describe the primary pharmacology of MK-8189 a PDE10A inhibitor under evaluation for the treatment of schizophrenia. We report efficacy in preclinical models that have been used to characterize other PDE10A inhibitors and atypical antipsychotics. The PDE10A occupancy achieved by MK-8189 in behavioral studies was used to support dose selection in clinical trials. This work provides evidence to support exploration of higher levels of PDE10A occupancy in clinical trials to determine if this translates to improved efficacy in patients.

PENGUATAN NILAI-NILAI MODERASI BERAGAMA MELALUI PENDIDIKAN PASRAMAN NONFORMAL

The background of this study highlights the pervasive threat of radicalism and intolerance within the educational environment, impacting a portion of students and scholars with anti-Pancasila views, thereby posing a danger to social harmony. Urgent measures are necessary to address this situation before more widespread damage occurs. Employing a qualitative and exploratory approach, this research aims to develop an educational framework within the Non-Formal Pasraman in West Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province. Both primary and secondary data are collected and analyzed using an inductive method. In efforts to curb radicalism, Pasraman adopts a preventive approach, focusing on the soft approach. Strategies such as introducing moderation values, exhibiting positive behavioral models, interfaith dialogue, active learning, and engaging in social services are identified as means to fortify the inculcation of religious moderation values. Strategic recommendations to enhance the quality of religious moderation education in non-formal Pasraman involve improving teacher qualifications, collaborating with relevant institutions, developing pertinent learning resources, and fostering inclusive and diverse educational approaches

CANVAS: A Canadian behavioral agent-based model for monetary policy

We develop the Canadian behavioral Agent-Based Model (CANVAS) that complements traditional macroeconomic models for forecasting and monetary policy analysis. CANVAS represents a next-generation modeling effort featuring enhancements in three dimensions: introducing household and firm heterogeneity, departing from rational expectations, and modeling price and quantity setting heuristics within a production network. The expanded modeling capacity is achieved by harnessing large-scale Canadian micro- and macroeconomic datasets and incorporating adaptive learning and simple heuristics. The out-of-sample forecasting performance of CANVAS is found to be competitive with a benchmark vector auto-regressive (VAR) model and a DSGE model. When applied to analyze the COVID-19 pandemic episode, our model helps explain both the macroeconomic movement and the interplay between expectation formation and cost-push shocks. CANVAS is one of the first macroeconomic agent-based models applied by a central bank to support projection and alternative scenarios, marking an advancement in the toolkit of central banks and enriching monetary policy analysis.

A Dynare toolbox for social learning expectations

Social learning (SL) is a behavioral model in which expectations and the resulting aggregate dynamics stem from the interactions of a large number of heterogeneous agents. Nonetheless, this framework has so far lacked a parsimonious development with a general-solution method. This paper bridges this gap and introduces a Dynare toolbox to solve any linear state-space model with SL expectations, opening up a wide range of potential applications. As an illustration, optimal monetary policy rules are studied in a microfounded New Keynesian (NK) model under SL and rational expectations (RE).

Training physicians in motivational communication: An integrated knowledge transfer study protocol.

While behavior change counseling (BCC) targeting health risk behaviors has shown efficacy for improving patient health outcomes, barriers to knowledge translation have resulted in poor uptake among health care providers (HCPs). This article outlines the development of a new BCC training framework for HCPs, from inception to readiness for efficacy testing. It provides an example of integrated knowledge translation (iKT) used in alignment with the obesity-related behavioral intervention trials model. (a) A modified Delphi process identified essential BCC skills for HCPs; (b) a survey assessed HCP attitudes and training needs; (c) an online competency assessment tool was developed using iKT mixed methods; (d) a training program was developed and refined using a logic model; and (e) the program was optimized using iterative rounds of participant feedback. A future proof-of-concept trial (f) will determine the program's readiness for full efficacy testing. A Delphi panel (n = 46) identified 11 core BCC competencies for HCPs, defining "motivational communication." The HCP survey (n = 80) showed willingness to devote 4 hr to introductory training in BCC. The Motivational Communication Competency Assessment Test (MC-CAT: an online, interactive evaluation tool) and a motivational communication training program (MOTIVATOR: accredited for continuing education by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada) were collaboratively developed with knowledge users. The optimization process (n = 11) provided key feedback, with minor changes being made to the program. In developing a new BCC framework, obstacles to BCC implementation were addressed through an iterative iKT process. This should improve eventual intervention uptake. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Probabilistic Machine Learning: New Frontiers for Modeling Consumers and their Choices

Making sense of massive, individual-level data is challenging: marketing researchers and analysts need flexible models that can accommodate rich patterns of heterogeneity and dynamics, work with and link diverse data types, and scale to modern data sizes. Practitioners also need tools that can quantify uncertainty in models and predictions of consumer behavior to inform optimal decision-making. In this paper, we demonstrate the promise of probabilistic machine learning (PML), which refers to the pairing of probabilistic modeling and machine learning methods, in pushing the frontier of combining flexibility, scalability, interpretability, and uncertainty quantification for building better models of consumers and their choices. Specifically, we overview both PML models and inference methods, and highlight their utility for addressing four common classes of marketing problems: (1) uncovering heterogeneity, (2) flexibly modeling nonlinearities and dynamics, (3) handling high-dimensional and unstructured data, and (4) addressing missingness, often via data fusion. We also discuss promising directions in enriching marketing models, reflecting recent developments in representation learning, causal inference, experimentation and decision-making, and theory-based behavioral modeling.

Erratum to: Genetic Variability of the MAOA Gene among Aggressive Animals in a Noncanonical Behavioral Model of Neogale vison

Erratum to: Genetic Variability of the MAOA Gene among Aggressive Animals in a Noncanonical Behavioral Model of Neogale vison

Developing a Behavioral Science-Based Management Model: Based on Self-Deprecation and "Lying Flat" in Generation Z

Developing a Behavioral Science-Based Management Model: Based on Self-Deprecation and "Lying Flat" in Generation Z

Evaluating the Implementation and Clinical Effectiveness of an Innovative Digital First Care Model for Behavioral Health Using the RE-AIM Framework: Quantitative Evaluation.

In the United States, innovation is needed to address the increasing need for mental health care services and widen the patient-to-provider ratio. Despite the benefits of digital mental health interventions (DMHIs), they have not been effective in addressing patients' behavioral health challenges as stand-alone treatments. This study evaluates the implementation and effectiveness of precision behavioral health (PBH), a digital-first behavioral health care model embedded within routine primary care that refers patients to an ecosystem of evidence-based DMHIs with strategically placed human support. Patient demographic information, triage visit outcomes, multidimensional patient-reported outcome measure, enrollment, and engagement with the DMHIs were analyzed using data from the electronic health record and vendor-reported data files. The RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) framework was used to evaluate the implementation and clinical effectiveness outcomes of PBH. PBH had a 47.58% reach rate, defined as patients accepting the PBH referral from their behavioral health integrated clinician. PBH patients had high DMHI registration rates (79.62%), high activation rates (76.54%), and high retention rates at 15 days (57.69%) and 30 days (44.58%) compared to literature benchmarks. In total, 74.01% (n=168) of patients showed clinical improvement, 22.47% (n=51) showed no clinical change, and 3.52% (n=8) showed clinical deterioration in symptoms. PBH had high adoption rates, with behavioral health integrated clinicians referring on average 4.35 (SD 0.46) patients to PBH per month and 90%-100% of clinicians (n=12) consistently referring at least 1 patient to PBH each month. A third (32%, n=1114) of patients were offered PBH as a treatment option during their triage visit. PBH as a care model with evidence-based DMHIs, human support for patients, and integration within routine settings offers a credible service to support patients with mild to moderate mental health challenges. This type of model has the potential to address real-life access to care problems faced by health care settings.

Cooperative behavior in multi-agent systems with intrinsic learners and extrinsic imitators

Under the framework of evolutionary games, how to update strategies when individuals interact with multiple neighbors at the same time is a key problem to understand the evolution of cooperation. At present, a widely known method is imitation updating. However, it is undeniable that when resources or capabilities are limited, it is difficult for individuals to obtain more comprehensive information about their counterparts, resulting in imitation method no longer applicable. Reinforcement learning algorithms attract attention because players do not need to know information such as the opponent's payoff, and only adjust strategies based on their own experience and expectations. In view of this, we consider both imitation and reinforcement learning as two behavioral adjustment models, and explore the evolution of cooperative behavior in mixed populations of extrinsic imitators and intrinsic learners. Numerous simulations have shown that when the value of temptation to defect is small, there exists an optimal proportion of intrinsic learners bring group cooperation to its peak. However, in interactive environments with larger social dilemmas, intrinsic learners are effective in resisting betrayal and maintaining group behavior compared to traditional extrinsic imitators. The proposed model reflects the characteristics of seeking advantages, avoiding disadvantages, and imitation in biological groups, and provides new ideas for the design of new game models.